Farewell Taylor Decker

Information pulled from: OvertheCap, NFL Mock Draft Database

Another piece of “the old guard” has fallen in Detroit. Today, early in the afternoon, many sources began reporting that Taylor Decker had requested to be released from the Detroit Lions. While what actually went down between the Lions and Decker is unknown, I think the assertions flying around are likely very true. The Lions are cap strapped, and thus they asked Taylor Decker to restructure his contract or take a pay cut. He did not like this and asked to be released. This is just the latest in Decker drama this offseason with his questioned retirement, decision to return announced on social media, just for him to ask to be released.

I think the Lions are at an inflection point in their developmental arc. They can no longer give every player exactly what they want. They need to ask some of their veterans to “take one for the team” in order to make a push for the Super Bowl. Remember Tom Brady taking pay cuts in order to sign other players? I do, and this is exactly the same thing. Brad and Dan see that there is an issue getting to the Super Bowl with the current approach and are trying to change things. We can’t expect them to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results. This is why we are here.

So what does this mean? First and foremost, for better or for worse, this means the cap relief comes. Cutting Taylor Decker creates an immediate 11.6 million dollars in additional cap space per Over the Cap. The value of this cannot be understated as we are so close to free agency.

Does this change our approach to free agency? I think it does slightly in the fact that the Lions will likely sign a low cost, older, veteran offensive tackle in order to have a contingency plan. I don’t think the tackle has to have experience at left tackle, but that would be preferable. Jedrick Wills may have just found himself a team. If his workout went well Monday I can almost guarantee the Lions have already been on the phone with him. However, the only reason this signing exists is to not force the hand of the Lions in the draft.

Does this change our approach to the NFL Draft? I almost certainly think not. You may ask why? A starter just left and we need to replace him. I won’t argue with you there. I simply think this was already a part of the plan. Taylor Decker had maybe one year left in him. He probably wasn’t going to play every game this year as they worked to manage his shoulder. So, this simply changes the type of tackle they draft. You can no longer draft a tackle that needs any time beyond training camp to be ready, they must be ready on day one.

I could see the Lions drafting Kadyn Proctor or Genning Dunker. I think that player will likely move in at right tackle and Penei Sewell will swing to left tackle. I also don’t think this means that they will use their first round pick necessarily. Moving Penei to left tackle makes sense because right tackles are far easier to find in this draft, even outside the first round. I’m not saying they won’t use the first round pick, but I’m also not saying they will.

Many writers have stated they are concerned with how many needs the Lions have. I would be lying if I didn’t say it had crossed my mind. However, I think drafting a tackle was always a part of the plan and it isn’t as huge of a concern as it is being made out to be.

Finally, you may notice I’m not quite as emotional about Decker’s departure as I was in my article about David Montgomery and Graham Glasgow. You would be absolutely correct. Honestly I’m annoyed and frustrated. If Decker wasn’t willing to do what needed to be done to help the team he should have just retired and walked. Now he is going to go play for far less money somewhere else and finish his career likely with some middling franchise. Simply, this is not the way I wanted to see it end.